A set of ugly laws, true, but not a hindrance to anybody who wants to get out. But I would suggest that US Americans in Switzerland have their accounts only with banks who have neither operations nor rep-offices in the USA. Details about all this is what I leave to people who really understand the banking/taxation business

I disagree. Those banks that only have a few US customers don't want the legal hassle of continuing to have them, like the Kantonal Banks.

What some of you people don't understand is, that oftentimes, brands dictate the retail price and the store does not have anything to do with it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe retail price maintenance (price-fixing by the manufacturer) is illegal in Switzerland. They can provide a recommended retail price but cannot enforce it; retailers are free to discount (or increase) the price as the market dictates.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe retail price maintenance (price-fixing by the manufacturer) is illegal in Switzerland. They can provide a recommended retail price but cannot enforce it; retailers are free to discount (or increase) the price as the market dictates.

A big problem is that foreign companies will charge the retailers a much higher prices. And to scare the costumer they will make up a big story about gray imports, product piracy, and safety. I mean do you really want to buy a faked sneaker from a Chinese sweat shop that may contain mercury and such and was smuggled in the buttocks of an African refugee crossing the Mediterranean sea who was dumped and killed by the Italian Mafia once he arrived in Europe?

A big problem is that foreign companies will charge the retailers a much higher prices. And to scare the costumer they will make up a big story about gray imports, product piracy, and safety. I mean do you really want to buy a faked sneaker from a Chinese sweat shop that may contain mercury and such and was smuggled in the buttocks of an African refugee crossing the Mediterranean sea who was dumped and killed by the Italian Mafia once he arrived in Europe?

Yeah, I don't think product piracy is right, but I think the recent scare campaigns and customs attitudes are way over the top.

do you really want to buy a faked sneaker from a Chinese sweat shop that may contain mercury and such and was smuggled in the buttocks of an African refugee crossing the Mediterranean sea who was dumped and killed by the Italian Mafia once he arrived in Europe?

Please post ads in the Marketplace forums.

The following 3 users would like to thank mirfield for this useful post:

I mean do you really want to buy a faked sneaker from a Chinese sweat shop that may contain mercury and such and was smuggled in the buttocks of an African refugee crossing the Mediterranean sea who was dumped and killed by the Italian Mafia once he arrived in Europe?

Is it just one sneaker or did the refugee manage to fit both of them in there? 'Cos obviously I'd prefer the pair.

The following 4 users would like to thank 22 yards for this useful post:

I live in Zurich although I'm staying a few months in Berlin to improve my german. I'm eating in a different restaurant everyday and I'm still a bit shocked to see that here I can eat a really good thai dish or very nice sushi PLUS a beverage for only € 7, when the same costs about CH 30 at least. That's quite a big difference. Of course the salaries in Switzerland are higher than here... but still ;-)

samita, thats really nice, yes! i love it too when im back home and enjoy a 6 euro meal or 2.50 euro kebap. but do you know why this is, why i left? because there is no jobs and i had the choice to live on the dole spending it for latte macchiato in that hip prenzlberg café!or look for a job elsewhere, like many of my friends did. the only jobs available were service jobs that are low paid. number unemployed people and getting welfare is among the highest in germany. the times have changed a bit, there are some startups (like zalando that is not making profit) now bringing business to berlin. but berlin is nearly bancrupt and has very little economy and thats contradictionary to zurich/switzerland. hence the low rent and prices.

do you really want to buy a faked sneaker from a Chinese sweat shop that may contain mercury and such and was smuggled in the buttocks of an African refugee crossing the Mediterranean sea who was dumped and killed by the Italian Mafia once he arrived in Europe?

Once you've worn sneakers from the buttocks of an African refugee you'll never want to wear any other sort again.